Egyptians in battle against the Nubians
A scene depicted on a wooden chest showcases Tutankhamun’s Egyptian military defiant against the Nubians.
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Tutankhamun, c. 1332–1323 B.C.
Chest of Tutankhamun with Miniature Panoramas, discovered within the Tomb of Tutankhamun, KV52, Valley of the Kings, Egypt. Soon to be permanently displayed in the Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Governorate.
Battle scenes along the length of the chest’s sides show the king riding in his chariot, accompanied by well organized archers, lancers, cavalrymen, and fan bearers, charging the enemies of Egypt; one side of the chest features the enemies of the South, and on the other side, the Northerners.
“Egyptian furniture did not include wardrobes. Instead, clothes were stored in chests and boxes. One of Tutankhamun’s boxes is decorated with exquisite scenes painted on all its sides as well as the lid.
Although the box is quite large [61 x 43 x 44.5 centimeters] the complexity and detail of the scenes makes them miniatures when compared with tomb paintings.
On the long sides of the box the king is shown in his chariot charging the Syrians and Nubians, i.e. the two potential enemies in the north and the south. On the lid the king is again in his chariot, this time in two scenes of hunting wild animals.
